Selma Emergency Officials Prepare for Potential Storms

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By
Ashley Thompson

Story Created:
Apr 28, 2014 at 8:33 PM CDT

Dallas County EMA Director Rhonda Abbott says right now, she's focused on letting the public know that severe weather could be on the way.

"All we can do at the EMA office is try to get that message out to the people and we surely hope the people take heed and prepare themselves, their homes and their families in the event that severe weather does occur."

If severe weather occurs, Selma Mayor George Evans says the city is prepared.

"The EMA director is going to be on duty 24/7 and certainly our police department will certainly be on duty. Our sheriff's department will also be on duty and certainly emergency care."

Right now, Selma City Schools are scheduled to open on Tuesday. But Chief Administration Officer Larry DiChiara says officials will play the situation by ear and make a decision early Tuesday morning.

"We'll know by then whether the worst of it's gone or whether it's coming or whether it's on top of us," he says.

And if the weather does turn dangerous, the Red Cross will turn Selma High School, into an emergency shelter.

"If there's a need to use any of our buildings, or our school busses, they have the right to do that," says DiChiara. " I remind people these schools, they don't belong to me, they don't belong to the Board of Education, they belong to the people."

And although it's been quite some time since Dallas County has dealt with major severe weather, Evans says you can never be to cautious.

"We're asking all the citizens in Selma, in Dallas County to take shelter in their homes or in the safe places in their homes and all the shelters are going to be available in our city."